On a night full of emotion from before the opening kickoff, the Saskatchewan Roughriders kept former teammate Jayden Dalke in their thoughts – even after a loss in the team’s first game since his death. “It was tough,” defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. told reporters after the loss. “I was just trying to stay as locked in and I wanted to play for him. I tried my best to do that tonight and hopefully he was proud of that.” Dalke and 22-year-old Regina man Bhishma Rajyagura were both killed in a head-on collision on the evening of July 18 on Highway 1 east of Lumsden after the SUV Rajyaguru was driving was struck by a Dalke’s SUV travelling into oncoming traffic. Prior to Thursday’s game against the Edmonton Elks, the team and over 28,000 fans paused to remember the lives of the two men and mark their importance to friends, family, teammates and community through individual tribute videos and a moment of silence. “It was well done by the organization honoring both people,” quarterback Trevor Harris said. “Obviously a tumultuous, strange week to navigate as a team. But I was proud of our team in terms of coming out fighting.” As part of an ‘In Memoriam’ before the national anthem, the Roughriders’ highlighted Rajyaguru’s life, his love for music and his deep connection to Regina’s Indian community. “Bhishma’s presence left a lasting impression all who had the privilege of knowing him,” Riders PA announcer Chris Hodges said as part of Rajyaguru’s honouring. “We hold Bhishama’s family, the Rajyaguru’s in India, his father Ashish, his mother Poorvi and his sister Heer in our hearts during this incredibly difficult time.” The team also had an edited video tribute for Dalke, highlighting his accomplishments over five seasons with club. “Jayden was deeply loved by his teammates for his hard work, his positive attitude and commitment to those around him,” said Hodges about Dalke. “He was proud to be a Saskatchewan Roughrider and his loss will be felt deeply by all who knew him.” A tribute video then highlighted Dalke’s time with team both on and off the field. Clips from teammates and team management noted their love for Dalke over his time with the Riders. “He was the person that was the glue of our team,” fellow Linebacker Jameer Thurman said in the video, a quote he made Monday. “You guys make it a pleasure to come to work; there’s no one I’d rather do it with,” Dalke was shown saying in the video. “[Jayden] was someone who loved what he was doing,” said general manager and VP of Football operations Jeremy O’Day. Each of the Roughriders’ obsidian helmets included a ‘JD’ sticker on the back. In tribute to their teammate, multiple players before warmups wore Dalke’s ‘38’ on the field, with many more sporting a bandana on their heads – Dalke’s signature. Some fans also donned Dalke’s jersey at the game. Riders’ head coach Corey Mace also admitted to the strong emotional feeling of the experience. “It was tough,” he said. “We knew it was coming but it’s just such a sad situation. I don’t do really social media during the season, but seeing both people, both victims being represented and seeing a little bit about both gentlemen: it’s just so sad, bro.” Missing man After the tributes played for fans, the team took one last opportunity to honour their fallen brother on the field. As the Riders punt team took to the field for the first time in the opening quarter, only 11 men took their positions. Known as a ‘missing man’ formation, in an act of remembrance Dalke’s position on the field was left vacant. “We talked a little bit through the week [about it],” Mace explained. “Then Nick Wiebe came into my office and asked if it was okay. And I said, ‘no problem.” Wiebe saying the entire special teams unit wanted to remember their captain in that way. “[Dalke] should be out there with us,” he told reporters after the game. “That’s JD’s spot, right. He’s the one calling the protections, he’s the one making the calls.” Still a game to be played An emotional evening from before the opening kickoff continued through the next 60 minutes on the field. At hand, an early season battle for first place in the CFL’s West Division – with the winner of either the Riders or Elks taking sole possession of the top spot. When all said an done, the two teams combined for 70 points, 1,008 yards of total offense and traded the lead nine times. Ultimately Saskatchewan losing in the dying seconds on a 57-yard walk-off field goal by Elks’ kicker Vincent Blanchard to secure a 36-34 Edmonton victory. “A pretty good CFL football game. I felt like we were going to win it up until the very end,” Harris said in a dejected voice. “Play here, play there; call here, call their. I’m probably going to be waking up all night thinking about the last play. “It sucks.” The Harris-led offense totaled 455 yards, including 386 through the air via the pivot’s arm. For the sixth time in six games this season, the Riders’ quarterback threw multiple touchdown passes – four to be exact and to four different receivers. Kian Schaffer-Baker, Samuel Emilus, KeeSean Johnson and Dhel Duncan-Busby all caught passes for majors in the game. It is the first time since 2017 a Saskatchewan Roughrider quarterback has had multiple touchdown passes to four different receivers in a game. That year, Kevin Glenn did it twice in a month span. Harris, however, spoiled about a missed throw to a wide-open Jaylen Johnson in the endzone late in the game. “I saw his eyes and he felt he was uncovered,” Harris recalled. “And so I thought he was just going to stop right there. It’s just a miscommunication, my fault. I should throw the ball through.” Cody’s career night A slim two-point Elks’ victory not possible without an outstanding performance from quarterback Cody Fajardo – a former Roughrider. Fajardo, who spent three seasons in Green and White between 2019 and 2022, came into Thursday’s game having never beat the Riders at Mosaic Stadium. Although, he had just one attempt, last season. He went on the sling 32 pass attempts, completing 25, four of them for touchdowns totaling 510 passing yards – a career high. “I love Mosaic Stadium,” Fajardo told TSN’s Brit Dort following the game. “Our receivers did a great job – that’s a really great defense. I told [our team] all week, ‘their defense is number one against [the pass]; let’s answer the call.’ And they did.” Seven separate receivers caught a pass from Fajardo Thursday. Austin Mack and T.J. Luther each had more than 150 yards receiving. Mack added two touchdowns to his line as well. Fajardo’s game-winning drive highlighted by a 20-yard completion on 3rd and 10 to Luther to extend the drive, eventually setting up Blanchard’s dagger field goal. Earlier in the game on a two-point conversion attempt, Fajardo threw a pass into the north endzone upright – just as he did in the 2019 West Division Final as a Roughrider. The result in this game, however, more favourable for the veteran gun slinger. “My good buddy the goalpost got the best of me again,” Fajardo joked. “Looking forward to that rule change.” Rerack, rematch Saskatchewan falls to 4-2, while Edmonton improvs to 6-1 and takes sole possession off top spot in the division. The season series between these two clubs does not stop here. In fact, Saskatchewan and Edmonton will return to practice next week to prepare for each other, again. “They won because they made one extra play than we did,” Harris said. “And ultimately, you could pick a bunch of plays, and if they went a different direction but they didn’t. [Edmonton] made the plays and tip your hat to them.” “This is going to sting for 24 hours, but we’ll turn the page and I can promise you one thing: we will get better from this, we’ll reload and we’ll be better football team next week.” The second half of the back-to-back is being played in Edmonton. That matchup is set for Saturday, Aug. 1 at Commonwealth Stadium. Riders pay tribute to teammate, Regina man killed in weekend crash pregame against Elks The Saskatchewan Roughriders held a moment of silence and paid tribute to teammate Jayden Dalke and 22-year-old Bhishma Rajyaguru, who were both killed in a two vehicle collision last weekend. Dalke and Rajyagura were both killed in a head-on collision on the evening of July 18 on Highway 1 east of Lumsden after the SUV Rajyaguru was driving was struck by a Dalke’s SUV travelling into oncoming traffic. Both were declared dead at the scene. The Riders announced earlier this week the team would honour Rajyaguru before their game Thursday night against the Elks. Tributes included an in memoriam and video tribute to both men. Fans in attendance gave an emotional standing ovation to Rajyaguru immediately following the video’s playing. Dalke, who was 30 years old, was signed by Saskatchewan in May 2022. The Leduc, Alta., athlete appeared in 68 career regular season games over five seasons with club.
